Study question:We evaluated the p53 protein concentration in spermcells to test whether environmental pollution can affect expression levels of this protein. Summary answer:We found a significant difference in p53 levels between two homogeneous groups by age and lifestyle, residents in two areas with different environmental impact. What is known already:TheWorld HealthOrganization (WHO) has placed among its priority objectives the understanding of the relationships between the sources of pollution and the effects on human health, which they represent a cause of surprisingly high mortality and morbidity. International scientific literature shows that strong environmental impact may jeopardize the stability and integrity of cellular DNA. This impairment can affect cellular functions, such as the uncontrolled growth of cells with the development of neoplastic process, until the final process of cell death (apoptosis). P53 seems to play a key role in these mechanisms, as it coordinates cell fate. Study design, size, duration: 237 healthy males, 18-36 years old, were observed according to their stable residence in low environmental impact area (LEIA) or High environmental impact area (HEIA) of the Campania region (Southern Italy) in a period between July 2014 and June 2018. The study group has been divided into Group A: 109 permanent residents in LEIA, aged 19 - 36 years; Group B: 128 permanent residents in HEIA, aged 18 - 35 years. Participants/materials, setting, methods:All partecipants were no smokers, not habitual alcohol drinkers, no professionally exposed to environmental pollutants, without varicoceles, prostatitis, urethritis or chronic diseases. Semen analysis was assessed according standard criteria of WHO Manual, fifth edition (2010). All semen samples were examined 30 minutes after collection and immediately processed for the p53 protein assay, using ELISA test, proposed by Raimondo et al. (2010)1. Quantitative dosage of p53 protein was expressed in ng / million of spermatozoa. Main results and the role of chance:We have observed not significant differences in ejaculate volume between group A and group B. About sperm concentration, 44,9% (40/109) of group A samples were normozoospermic while only 20,3% (26/128) of group B samples were normozoospermic. The quantitative dosage of p53 protein has been corrected in relation to sperm concentration number and shows statistically significant differences between two groups: group A had a minimum value of 0,29 ng/million of sperms and a maximum value of 4,05 ng/million of sperms, with a mean value of 1,74 ng/million of sperms; group B had a minimum value of 0,69 ng/million of sperms and a maximum value of 14,36 ng/ million of sperms, with a mean value of 6,45 ng/million of sperms.Statistical analysis of the two groups was performed using Fisher’s correlation and then Student’s test andwe obtained a p <0.0005.The differences observed in this study underlines the efficacy of quantitative dosage of p53 protein in identify a cell suffering due to environmental pollution. Limitations, reasons for caution: This is a preliminary observational study on a small number of samples. Reasons for caution could be due to unknown confounding factors.A large number of tests are need to confirm our results. Wider implications of the findings:p53 protein is well known as “guardian of the genome” for its key role in determining the fate of the cell following DNA damage. Quantitative dosage of p53, seems to give valuable informations on the degree of damage to sperm DNA by environmental pollution, suggesting it as potential new biomarker. Trial registration number: it’s a retrospective observational study.

Notari, T., Gentile, M., Raimondo, S., Bosco, L., Gentile, T., Montano, L. (2019). Sperm p53 concentration: a potential new biomarker for environmental pollution. Preliminary data.(EcoFoodFertility Project). HUMAN REPRODUCTION, 34(Suppl1), 186-186.

Sperm p53 concentration: a potential new biomarker for environmental pollution. Preliminary data.(EcoFoodFertility Project)

Bosco, L;
2019-01-01

Abstract

Study question:We evaluated the p53 protein concentration in spermcells to test whether environmental pollution can affect expression levels of this protein. Summary answer:We found a significant difference in p53 levels between two homogeneous groups by age and lifestyle, residents in two areas with different environmental impact. What is known already:TheWorld HealthOrganization (WHO) has placed among its priority objectives the understanding of the relationships between the sources of pollution and the effects on human health, which they represent a cause of surprisingly high mortality and morbidity. International scientific literature shows that strong environmental impact may jeopardize the stability and integrity of cellular DNA. This impairment can affect cellular functions, such as the uncontrolled growth of cells with the development of neoplastic process, until the final process of cell death (apoptosis). P53 seems to play a key role in these mechanisms, as it coordinates cell fate. Study design, size, duration: 237 healthy males, 18-36 years old, were observed according to their stable residence in low environmental impact area (LEIA) or High environmental impact area (HEIA) of the Campania region (Southern Italy) in a period between July 2014 and June 2018. The study group has been divided into Group A: 109 permanent residents in LEIA, aged 19 - 36 years; Group B: 128 permanent residents in HEIA, aged 18 - 35 years. Participants/materials, setting, methods:All partecipants were no smokers, not habitual alcohol drinkers, no professionally exposed to environmental pollutants, without varicoceles, prostatitis, urethritis or chronic diseases. Semen analysis was assessed according standard criteria of WHO Manual, fifth edition (2010). All semen samples were examined 30 minutes after collection and immediately processed for the p53 protein assay, using ELISA test, proposed by Raimondo et al. (2010)1. Quantitative dosage of p53 protein was expressed in ng / million of spermatozoa. Main results and the role of chance:We have observed not significant differences in ejaculate volume between group A and group B. About sperm concentration, 44,9% (40/109) of group A samples were normozoospermic while only 20,3% (26/128) of group B samples were normozoospermic. The quantitative dosage of p53 protein has been corrected in relation to sperm concentration number and shows statistically significant differences between two groups: group A had a minimum value of 0,29 ng/million of sperms and a maximum value of 4,05 ng/million of sperms, with a mean value of 1,74 ng/million of sperms; group B had a minimum value of 0,69 ng/million of sperms and a maximum value of 14,36 ng/ million of sperms, with a mean value of 6,45 ng/million of sperms.Statistical analysis of the two groups was performed using Fisher’s correlation and then Student’s test andwe obtained a p <0.0005.The differences observed in this study underlines the efficacy of quantitative dosage of p53 protein in identify a cell suffering due to environmental pollution. Limitations, reasons for caution: This is a preliminary observational study on a small number of samples. Reasons for caution could be due to unknown confounding factors.A large number of tests are need to confirm our results. Wider implications of the findings:p53 protein is well known as “guardian of the genome” for its key role in determining the fate of the cell following DNA damage. Quantitative dosage of p53, seems to give valuable informations on the degree of damage to sperm DNA by environmental pollution, suggesting it as potential new biomarker. Trial registration number: it’s a retrospective observational study.
2019
Settore BIO/06 - Anatomia Comparata E Citologia
Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata
Notari, T., Gentile, M., Raimondo, S., Bosco, L., Gentile, T., Montano, L. (2019). Sperm p53 concentration: a potential new biomarker for environmental pollution. Preliminary data.(EcoFoodFertility Project). HUMAN REPRODUCTION, 34(Suppl1), 186-186.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/371282
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